Disney permit signals future work at Epcot

Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek said Saturday at D23 at the Contemporary Resort that there would be a "major transformation" at Epcot. Visitors can likely expect less emphasis on exhibits and replicas, and more on the characters and rides typical of most Disney theme parks.

Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek said Saturday at D23 at the Contemporary Resort that there would be a "major transformation" at Epcot. Visitors can likely expect less emphasis on exhibits and replicas, and more on the characters and rides typical of most Disney theme parks.

A recently approved permit signals parking changes could be part of the work being planned at Epcot.

The South Florida Water Management District issued a new permit this month for canal modifications that allow Walt Disney Parks and Resorts to build and operate a new stormwater management system on the northeast side of the theme park.

The plan is to reconfigure an existing canal to “to provide a more contiguous area for possible future changes to parking capacity and back of house areas within Walt Disney World's EPCOT Center,” according to a staff report included with the permit.

The project also includes creating two dry retention areas for water treatment at the park “where future construction is planned,” the report said.

In May, Disney filed for the permit, which expires in June 2022.

“At any given time, we have numerous projects in various stages of development across our resort,” Disney officials said in a statement, declining to give more details.

Disney executive Bob Chapek spoke of “a major transformation” during the D23 fan event in November.

"It will be more Disney. It will be even more relevant than it is today,” said Chapek, who oversees the theme parks. “And, at the same time, it will stay true to our original vision. Stay tuned, there's a lot more to come on Epcot.”

Elsewhere at Disney’s other parks, Pandora — The World of Avatar opened last month at Animal Kingdom. The much anticipated Star Wars-themed land is expected to open in 2019 at Hollywood Studios. And road projects underway include flyovers for Osceola Parkway and World Drive.

In 2018, Universal’s “Fast and the Furious” open and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will reveal its Toy Story themed land. SeaWorld Orlando, in need of an attendance game-changer, is opening a new raft ride.

In 2018, Universal’s “Fast and the Furious” open and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will reveal its Toy Story themed land. SeaWorld Orlando, in need of an attendance game-changer, is opening a new raft ride.

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In 2018, Universal’s “Fast and the Furious” open and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will reveal its Toy Story themed land. SeaWorld Orlando, in need of an attendance game-changer, is opening a new raft ride.

In 2018, Universal’s “Fast and the Furious” open and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will reveal its Toy Story themed land. SeaWorld Orlando, in need of an attendance game-changer, is opening a new raft ride.

The cost for part of the Disney Skyliner project, a gondola system that will link Disney World hotels with Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios, will include $3.8 million earmarked just for related electrical services.

The cost for part of the Disney Skyliner project, a gondola system that will link Disney World hotels with Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios, will include $3.8 million earmarked just for related electrical services.

Dave Kesting, general manager of Epcot festivals, talks about the return of the Epcot International Festival of the Arts, Wednesday, January 12, 2017, at Walt Disney World. The festival showcases visual, culinary and performance artists. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Dave Kesting, general manager of Epcot festivals, talks about the return of the Epcot International Festival of the Arts, Wednesday, January 12, 2017, at Walt Disney World. The festival showcases visual, culinary and performance artists. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)